I know a very successful man from my hometown (Philadelphia, PA), who owns his own business and is happily married with two children. One son and one daughter. About 7 months ago, a friend told me that his son had shot himself to death, and that of course the whole family was devastated.
When I asked my friend about the circumstances around his death - she didn't really know, but that she speculated it was because the son was playing around with the gun or showing the gun off to a friend. Or perhaps he was even going to do something "illegal" with the gun. This boy was a 16 year old African-American by the way.
What I found interesting is that neither my friend nor anyone else ever assumed that he may have harmed himself on purpose. Especially if it was because he was suffering from untreated depression.
Sure enough -- about a month ago it came out that this young man had been suffering from depression since he was roughly about 14 years old and that his family had tried to handle it internally. Which meant that they did not seek professional help for their son. They thought that with love and attention, that they could fix things. Unfortunately this was not the case.
This is only a microscopic example of just how millions of male teens and men across this globe are suffering from depression in silence. Why? Probably because in our society, depression or any mental health issue is considered a flaw or a weakness in a person's character. Not really as a disorder or disease such as diabetes or heart disease.
Most men maneuver their lives in and around this sense of masculinity that they must have to be the conquerers, providers, and/or leaders in their lives. There is no room for feelings of depression. Unfortunately, this leads to many men leading very unsatisfied and mediocre lives and others who suffer from much more serious consequences such as suicide, addiction, or crime.
If you notice a boy or man in your life who exhibits some of the classic signs of depression, don't be afraid to suggest that he talk to someone he trusts about it and consider talk therapy with a mental health professional. Offer to go with him or to find the professional for him. If he agrees, applaud his courage and effort to help himself. Something so few men feel comfortable doing in this society.
Lisa Angelettie, "GirlShrink" is an online advice authority. Her site GirlShrink.com is the #1 "Advice & Counseling" site on the web and contributing author of "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life". Instantly get a FREE Bonus when you sign up for her free Better Choices Ezine. Please visit us for more discussion on this topic in the depression forum to talk about it further. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for topics in the news, new articles, website & book reviews, and other useful mental health resources. Subscribe below.
